 The measure by state Sen. Kimberly Lightford, D-Maywood, would raise the minimum
hourly rate from its current $8.25 to $9 on July 1 and then add 50 cents per
year each year until it hits $11 on July 1, 2019.
It also includes a per-employee small-business tax credit for businesses with as
many as 50 employees. The allowable credit varies by employee pay and is capped
at a maximum of $1,500 per employee.
The day before, Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner included in his first State of the
State address a proposal to increase the minimum wage to $10 over seven years.
State Sen. Kyle McCarter, R-Lebanon, asked Democrats to slow down.
“An abrupt move like this is not fair,” he said. “It’s not fair to the people
you say you’re trying to help, nor is it fair to small businesses.”
State Sen. Jim Oberweis, R-Sugar Grove, said, “The problem with this bill is
that it’s going to kill jobs for those most in need of those jobs, namely
teenagers and particularly minority teenagers. Illinois has gained a reputation
for being very anti-business. This bill will help put one more nail in that
coffin.”
Lightford said the measure is both needed and supported by voters.
“As long as they’re getting up every day and trying to do the best for their
families, we should not keep them heavily reliant on government assistance, and
that’s exactly what we’re doing by finding every excuse we can not to pay them
fair and livable wages,” she said.
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 The senator said said getting the bill to the
House early in the session is only wise. Should the House have
concerns, there will be plenty of time for the two chambers to work
them out, she said.
Business interests have fought the measure, saying it will price
some jobs out of existence.
“It’s fair to say we are disappointed but not surprised,” said, Rob
Karr, president of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association.
“This proposal would increase their (retailers) largest cost item,
in most cases 25 percent over the next three years. And certainly no
one’s sales are increasing anywhere near close to that rate to
compensate.
“So that’s a real challenge for retailers who are frankly just
trying to survive in this state.”
Lightford’s bill allows the city of Chicago, which already has
passed its own minimum wage ordinance, to proceed with a $13 per
hour minimum wage by 2019. It does not authorize any other city to
exceed $11, nor does it allow Chicago to exceed $13.
[This
article courtesy of
Watchdog.]
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